Steven Caulker is back and in ‘a fantastic place’ but Queens Park Rangers boss Ian Holloway fears there will be idiots at away grounds using his brave admissions against him.

In an open and honest interview with the Guardian in the summer, Caulker spoke about how he has struggled with depression and a drinking and gambling problem. He also admitted he came close to suicide during a ‘dark time’ and that he was told not to return to Loftus Road.

Holloway was one of those who tried to help the 25-year-old, however, and Caulker is now training with the team again ahead of this season in the Championship.

Ian Holloway spoke of his enormous pride in seeing Steven Caulker back with the team

The defender is in a 'fantastic place' now after suffering through dark times, says Holloway

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‘That boy has absolutely bared all in front of the national newspapers to try to help us and help himself to get better,’ Holloway said. ‘I’m there all day long for him.

‘This boy is someone’s son and I’m going to help him. That’s my duty of care. I’m the man to help him and I need our supporters to help him because he genuinely wants help, needs it and that was a cry for it.

‘I know when we go to away grounds, that won’t happen. It won’t. Because people think that’s banter and it is football and you can buy your ticket and shout whatever you like.

‘Of course you can, that’s part of it. You have to pay enough for your ticket these days. But really, deep down, he should be a human being and that’s where it all gets lost.

‘When you buy a ticket to go to the cinema, there’s no guarantee you’re going to enjoy that movie. If you don’t, you can’t scream at the projectionist or the producer. They aren’t there, and would you anyway? It’s only football where it’s acceptable isn’t it?’

Caulker’s last appearance was in the Championship for QPR against Brentford in October 2016.

The 25-year-old last appeared for QPR in the Championship in October of last year

Holloway confirmed on Monday Caulker is in his first-team plans for this season and added: ‘That is a potential English centre-half.

‘His article in the newspaper was really open – as open as I’ve ever seen any footballer. Part of me was really sad about that, part of me was pleased and proud of him to actually admit that.

‘Now, he is in a fantastic place and he wants to come back and he wants to work and I can’t believe that I’m the lucky person who will get to work with him.’